Introduction

Heart failure is a clinical syndrome which is characterized by the inability of the heart to pump well enough to supply all the tissues of the body with blood. Since the heart and peripheral vessels are functionally a joint system, one can also use the term cardiovascular insufficiency, cardiac insufficiency or heart failure (even though the heart has not ‘failed’ in its task to supply the organism with blood, it is merely not performing this function as well as it should). Heart failure is a long-term condition that tends to get gradually worse over time. It can't usually be cured, but the symptoms can often be controlled for many years.

There are three types of heart failure:

Left ventricle failure

Right ventricle failure

Biventricular failure

Right ventricle heart failure may occur as a consequence of the left ventricle heart failure, mitral stenosis or mitral ailments, congenital defects or bronchopneumopathies which lead to pulmonary heart disease, etc.

A biventricular heart failure can occur when the right ventricle becomes unable to compensate in a patient already suffering from a left ventricle heart failure. This condition can also manifest during a bout of an infectious or toxic myocarditis, cardiosclerosis, thyrotoxicosis, myxedema, severe anemia, avitaminosis, liver cirrhosis, etc,

When to get medical advice

See your GP if you experience persistent or gradually worsening symptoms of heart failure.

Call the emergency number for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department as soon as possible if you have sudden or very severe symptoms.

A number of tests can be used to help check how well your heart is working, including blood tests, an electrocardiogram (ECG) and an echocardiogram.

For example, if your heart valves are damaged, replacing or repairing them may cure the condition.

It can severely limit the activities you're able to do and is often eventually fatal.

But it's very difficult to predict how the condition will progress on an individual basis. It's very unpredictable many people remain stable for many years, while in some cases it may get worse quickly.

Overall, around half of people with heart failure live at least five years after their diagnosis.

Pathologies of the heart are characterized by a reduced potential energy of the heart. However, the heart still attempts to withstand this phenomenon viaÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â certain mechanisms, which affect the heart muscle and cause the following cardiomyopathies.

Heart failure (HF), often referred to as congestive heart failure (CHF), occurs when the heart is unable to pump sufficiently to maintain blood flow to meet the body's needs. Heart failure doesn't mean your heart has stopped working it just needs some support to help it work better.

The symptoms of heart failure can vary from person to person. They may start suddenly or develop gradually over weeks or months. The most common symptoms of heart failure are: shortness of breath, fatigue, swollen ankles and legs, etc.

If you have symptoms of heart failure , your GP will ask you to describe them in detail. They will also carry out a physical examination. Tests you may have to diagnose heart failure include: blood tests, an electrocardiogram (ECG), an echocardiogram, etc.

If you've been diagnosed with heart failure, making healthy lifestyle changes can help relieve your symptoms and reduce your risk of becoming seriously ill. Most people with heart failure are treated with medication. Often you'll need to take two or three different medicines.

It's very important to take good care of yourself if you have heart failure. Some of the main things you'll be advised to do are; take your medication, have a healthy diet, exercise regularly, stop smoking, make regular reviews.